Paying kids for their good behavior

Paying kids is a way to get them to do what you want them to do, but it has to be used sparingly.
I think there are times to do it and times and times not to. I don't think it should be used for asking them to do the regular household activities and chores, but if it's something large. I know that kids will get paid for straight A's or something like that, or a long period of hard work of some kind. I think that's okay. I think it's okay to say, "For the straight A's or some exemplary type of behavior, we are going to pay you this amount; just to show you that we appreciate the work that you've been doing."
You've got to be careful because if it is overused, even for the small things, kids will lose their intrinsic value of doing things. It gives them what I call, the warm and fuzzies. The warm and fuzzies that are important thing for kids to have because you want them to do it for themselves.

Chris Fulton, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Christopher Fulton is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been in private practice for over ten years. He received his doctorate in 1994 from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. Dr. Fulton has clinical training and experience in a variety of settings, and also has administrative, teaching, supervision, consulting, research and psychological testing experience. Dr. Fulton provides consultation and ongoing therapy for children, adolescents and adults. He conducts group, individual, couples and family therapy and actively works with a variety of childhood disorders, including: adjustment disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant and other emotional-behavioral disorders. Among his most frequent areas of concentration is divorce, for which Dr. Fulton offers therapy for all involved.

Utilizing research-supported methods in treatment, Dr. Fulton's approach to therapy involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral, family systems and interpersonal interventions. In his work with children, Dr. Fulton involves parents and assists them in developing appropriate responses to their children, since he believes that ultimately the parent will make the most significant impact on the child. Dr. Fulton helps parents establish appropriate boundaries, communication and methods of discipline in order to increase positive relationships with their children.

Paying kids is a way to get them to do what you want them to do, but it has to be used sparingly.
I think there are times to do it and times and times not to. I don't think it should be used for asking them to do the regular household activities and chores, but if it's something large. I know that kids will get paid for straight A's or something like that, or a long period of hard work of some kind. I think that's okay. I think it's okay to say, "For the straight A's or some exemplary type of behavior, we are going to pay you this amount; just to show you that we appreciate the work that you've been doing."
You've got to be careful because if it is overused, even for the small things, kids will lose their intrinsic value of doing things. It gives them what I call, the warm and fuzzies. The warm and fuzzies that are important thing for kids to have because you want them to do it for themselves.